Deciding where to stay on Disney property can be an overwhelming task for many families. If you are looking for a slightly lower price point than the monorail resorts I highly recommend checking out the resorts in the Boardwalk area. A stone’s throw from the back of Epcot and a quick walk or ferry boat to Hollywood Studios, The Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk resorts are the most centrally located on Disney property.

If you are a family who will get up early, hit the park before crowds, enjoy an afternoon at the pool, and prefer a sit down dinner to round out the day, this location should be one of your first choices.  The Beach, Yacht, and Boardwalk resorts are all slightly similar in architecture, but each has its’ own distinct vibe. 

This is the Beach Club.  It is the closest to Epcot and has a nice, bright look like the Grand Floridian, but with a more relaxed vibe.  The lobby is a constant hustle and bustle of vacationers coming to eat at the Cape May Cafe or using the quick service Marketplace location. 

The Yacht Club is the sister resort to The Beach Club and has a noticeability quieter vibe. The Yacht Club tends to host more business groups than the other resorts, which contributes to a slower pace lobby area.

One complaint about the Boardwalk is the lack of a quick service location in the actual resort, and guests will have to go out onto the Boardwalk to get their morning coffee and breakfast. This doesn’t seem to be a big enough negative for me not to recommend clients stay here.

I think the biggest difference between choosing between these hotels is the pool areas. The Beach Club is arguably the best pool on Disney property. With a zero entry sandy bottom, a lazy river, and a shipwreck slide; there is something for everyone. They scan your band to verify you’re staying at the resort and guests from both the Beach and Yacht Clubs have access to this pool. The Yacht Club pool is a standard pool/hot tub and gets the job done.

Perhaps one of my biggest hesitations in staying at the Boardwalk was the clown face at the pool. I will admit, I sat on the side where I didn’t have to look at it. This pool area is more confined than the Beach Club, and in lieu of a zero entry there is a separate small kiddie pool. The slide is the longest in all of Disney and my kids loved it. If you can get past the clown it’s worth a stay! P.S. the eyes glow at night…don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I love the Boardwalk area for many reasons, mainly because there is something to do outside of just staying at your resort. When you are at a monorail resort and you want to walk around where are you going? Wondering around the resort property, which will be beautiful, however, if you are over in the Boardwalk area you have more area to roam around and explore. You can get in a morning run, an afternoon bike ride, and even hit up an adult-only night at Jelly Rolls for dueling piano fun.

The Boardwalk area now has the Disney Skyliner conveniently located next to Epcot, with transfers to Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation Resort, and Pop Century Resort.

I also highly recommend getting a park hopper ticket if you stay in this area so you have an option to go into Epcot for dinner multiple nights during your vacation. There is nothing better than eating dinner, watching Epcot Forever, and then WALKING home to your resort.

Staying on the Boardwalk will put you in the middle of the night-time entertainment such as magicians, comedians, and a carnival style set up with various games of chance.

At the end of the day all of the Disney resorts are wonderful, it’s just a matter of what “speaks to you” and where you might feel the most comfortable. I can make any itinerary work regardless of hotel choice. It’s also usually 5 nights out of your life, so don’t stress too much!

by Ellen Volpe – Co-Owner of ET Family Travel